Yesterday, RNLI lifeguards completed their training ahead of the much anticipated surf reef launch.

Divisional lifeguard manager, Barry Heathfield acknowledged that although recent high winds had made the sea “a bit messy”, the weather this week looks set to provide the right conditions – possibly even as early as Tuesday. If the swell is right, surfers can anticipate frequent, fast waves of up to ten and a half feet.

Commenting last week, Mr Heathfield added:

We have three lifeguards based here every day, from 10am till dusk, 365 days a years from now.

The conditions today haven’t been ideal. It’s been pretty rough but it has given us good idea of the worst we can expect.

Referring to the division of public opinion on just how effective or not the reef will be in producing the right waves, council bosses have disclosed: “There’ll be a period of assessment which may last for a year and we’ll be looking for feedback.”